All language subtitles for Star.Trek.Discovery.S05E03.WEB.x264-TORRENTGALAXY

♪

Previously on Star
Trek: Discovery...

I am going to accept
President Rillak's offer

to serve as a
Federation ambassador.

I want to be with you.

I know what I stand for.
I know what I believe in.

I'm not apologizing for that.

I want you to be my number one.

I got a second chance
once. This is yours.

SARU: Young Adira has been
joined with a Trill symbiont.

Welcome to the circle.

SARU: Once they
join with a host,

that host has the ability to

access the memories
of all former hosts.

GUARDIAN XI: It is my
hope that our work today

will allow you to
resume your training.

You're gonna make a
great Guardian someday.

Come with me.

Discovery'swhere I
can make a difference.

You're not scared
about long distance?

I have trust in us.

KOVICH: We've been
calling them the Progenitors.

Somehow, Dr. Vellek
found their technology.

When he disappeared
800 years ago,

its location was lost with him.

Moll and L'ak don't
have this part of the clue,

so they're on their
way to Betazed.

What is this?

BURNHAM: We need to
find the other four pieces

to complete the map of clues
to the Progenitors' technology.

And the poem tells
us where to go next.

SARU: "A world like no other,

where two souls entwine."

- I suppose...
- ADIRA: Trill.

We're going to Trill.

RAYNER: They're
smart, slippery as hell,

and don't give a damn
about anyone but themselves.

Meet Moll and L'ak.

Let's just say I know
more about the spirits

my abuelaused to pray to
than I do about these two.

BOOK: Her name is Malinne.

She's the daughter of my mentor,

Cleveland Booker
the fourth, which

makes her the closest
thing to family I've got left.

♪

BURNHAM: We need to
know what we're getting into

before we get to Trill. What
have you learned about L'ak?

CULBER: Sorry, Captain,
still nothing on L'ak.

BURNHAM: What about Moll?

Born on Callor
Five, rough place.

Cleveland left
when she was eight.

He used to talk about
how much he wanted

to fix things with her.

Never got the chance.

We did some digging.

Found out she lost
her mother at 14,

joined a courier guild
at 17, and did at least

two stints in an
Emerald Chain lockup.

She's been through a lot.

BOOK: And always
comes out on top.

If we run into them
in Trill, won't be pretty.

Yeah, I know what
you're about to say,

and it's a Federation world,

I have to bring in
a uniformed team.

But, if they do show up, I'll be
an asset, knowing what I do now.

A-And this is where you say

my personal connection
to her makes you nervous.

Convince me it shouldn't.

I'm learning from my choices.

I wouldn't be here
otherwise, so if you're

concerned with what's
personal, Michael,

this is how I get my life back.

Let me go to Trill with you.

BURNHAM: Okay.

I'll think about it.

I'll see you in there.

Long day already?

No, I just couldn't sleep.

Brings up a lot
of big questions.

You too, huh?

Tossing and turning all night.

Have you tried Vulcan meditation
yet? Helped you as a kid.

Do you remember every
detail anyone's ever told you?

It's part of my job.

[Burnham laughs]

All right, what've we got?

A very big planet.

Trill has a surface area

of 500 million
square kilometers.

So, the question is,
where in all that area

are we gonna find our next clue?

Commander Stamets has
been working on the tricorder

recovered from the
Romulan ship. No help yet,

and we've been analyzing
the poem from Lyrek and...

We used a decryption algorithm

to try and find any coded
messages in the language syntax.

Nothing there,
but we did find this

on the metal piece
you recovered.

We realized that these
markings are consistent

with the patterns
of Trill facial spots.

Which are unique
to the individual.

As unique as
fingerprints in humans

or dorsal ridges in Saurians.

We asked Zora to try to locate
a possible match, so... Zora?

ZORA: This is Jinaal Bix.

His facial markings
correspond precisely

with the markings on the
clue retrieved from Lyrek.

He lived 800 years ago,

at the same time as
the Romulan scientist.

[chuckles] So, this
clue points to a person.

ADIRA: But Jinaal
wasn't your average Trill,

I think he was a symbiont host.

It would be

unusual for one
to live 800 years,

but not completely unheard of.

You think it could
still be alive?

ADIRA: If so, then its

current host would have

all the memories of Jinaal Bix,

and we'd be able to ask
them a lot of questions.

And the Guardians
should have records

to help us find
the current host.

Ensign Tal,
Dr. Culber, I want you

with me on the away team.
Lieutenant Tilly, let me know

when the sensors pick up
L'ak and Moll back on Lyrek.

Can't imagine it'll
be too much longer.

Book, suit up,
you're coming with.

- [comms chime]
- CHRISTOPHER: Captain,

the new crew member's here.

Okay, I'll meet him
in my ready room.

Be ready to go in ten.

We've got a head start,

we need to use it.

Welcome aboard, Commander.

At your service, Captain.

I trust your quarters
are satisfactory.

They're fine. A little
smaller than I'm used to, but,

uh, then again, I'm
used to having your job.

That was meant as a
joke, to break the ice.

Mm. "Break the ice,"
that's an Earth idiom.

I'm reporting to a human
captain. I like to be prepared.

We're about to jump to Trill,
and while I'm on the surface,

I'll ask for you to do
one-on-ones with the crew.

No need. I've read their files.

I'd like you to connect
with them in person.

There are better ways to use me,

like tracking Moll
and L'ak for one.

I think we can both agree that

connection is not exactly
where my skill set lies.

Connection isn't
a skill, it's a choice.

The only interaction my crew
has had with you was on Q'Mau,

and it's left some
skeptical about my decision

to bring you on.

This is your chance

to show them why
you're right for the job.

To "break the ice."

One-on-ones, it is.

BURNHAM: Everyone, this is

First Office Commander Rayner.

Lieutenant Naya,

Lieutenant Arav,

Commander Rhys,

Commander Asha,

and Lieutenants Gallo,

Linus,

and Christopher.

You'll meet Owosekun,

Detmer and the rest of the crew

in a little bit.

For now, we have
some place to be.

Black alert.

ADIRA: Can't believe
I'm gonna see Gray.

It's been, like, six
months of holo chats

where we-we pretend
like everything's normal,

and it's obviously
not. Do I, um,

do I look... okay?
Please tell me

- I look okay.
- You look great, kid.

How many raktajinos
have you had?

Uh, two. I... [stammers]

I... Three.

Might be four, I
don't know. I just,

I... [chuckles]

really want everything
to be perfect today.

STAMETS: Hey, give
him my love, will you?

CHRISTOPHER [over
comms]: Ensign Tal,

Captain's asking
for you on the bridge.

Are you thinking
what I'm thinking?

Uh, yeah, th-this
jumble of numbers

from the Romulan tricorder,

I can't make sense of.

I was talking about Adira.

Come on, space
dad, six months apart,

and then being that
nervous to see him.

You were young once,
you know what that means.

Okay, that's not my business.

No.

Trouble in paradise, genius.

Six months of trying to
act like everything's normal?

[sighs] That kid's like

a lamb off to the
slaughterhouse right now.

- What?
- Yeah.

No. It'll be fine. They're fine.

- Should I be worried?
- Eh...

Everyone's on a journey.

We come together,
we come apart...

Wow.

I just sounded like
a woo-woo asshole.

Nah, they'll be fine, but

everything's got
a half-life, so...

BURNHAM: Lieutenant
Christopher, request permission

to transport to Trill.

I'm sorry, Captain.

They're denying your
request to beam down.

- For what reason?
- CHRISTOPHER: They wouldn't say.

[comms chimes]

Guardian Xi would
like to speak with you.

- Put him through.
- CHRISTOPHER: Aye, Captain.

Guardian Xi, is there a problem?

There is.

The information you seek

has been protected
for centuries.

Before we assist,

there is a question
you must answer.

I'm not sure you
understand the stakes here...

This is not a matter for debate.

You must answer the question.

Then you better ask it.

Where does the fourth point?

What the hell kind
of question is that?

GUARDIAN XI: I can say
nothing further. Where...

does the fourth point?

It's a riddle.

It's a reference to the
poem we found on Lyrek.

The hidden fifth stanza led
us here. The fourth stanza

seemed to point to Betazed.

The answer is Betazed.

That is correct.

I can tell you now

that the symbiont you
seek is indeed still alive.

Its current host, Kalzara Bix,

she will speak to no outsider

unless they answer that riddle.

Have others come looking?

No, you are the first.

Your team may transport
to the Caves of Mak'ala.

I will bring her shortly.

Before you go,

is there anything else
you can tell us about her?

Or he symbiont or
the poem on Lyrek?

I've never heard
of Lyrek, Captain,

and I know nothing of any poem.

My duty was simply to ask

the question and
verify the answer.

From here forward,

all will be up to you.

[takes deep breath]

♪

♪

♪

[original Star Trektheme plays]

Welcome.

Kalzara is eager

to meet you.

- You knew the answer.
- Yes.

We are here for the clue.
We understand you have it.

I have been waiting for
you nearly my whole life,

but I cannot help you.

Only Jinaal can.

The original host?

Didn't he die
hundreds of years ago?

Jinaal joined with our symbiont

so that it could carry his
secrets across the ages

until a worthy

seeker arrived.

He requires that you
speak with him directly.

Please.

The symbiont is tired
and longs to rest. So do I.

How are we supposed to do this?

A zhian'tara.

It's a ritual that allows
Jinaal's consciousness

to transfer to another body

for a limited time.

GUARDIAN XI: It
cannot be a joined host,

but others from
your team may serve

as a vessel. I should
warn you, however, that

it can be an emotionally

overwhelming experience.

CULBER: Captain,
Jinaal can use me.

"Emotionally overwhelming"
is what I do best.

[sighs] Are you sure?

GUARDIAN XI: It's decided then.

Gray, you can help me prepare.

It will be a valuable
addition to your training.

Yes, Guardian.

Oh, T'Rina. Good morning.

I have brought you a
gift for your new office,

a favinit plant.

Oh, it is quite lovely.

[sighs]

Oh.

Thank you.

I can imagine what a
transition this must be.

- [chuckles]
- After so many years

with Discoveryas your home.

Yes, well...

I do miss them all,

but I-I am excited
for this new challenge,

and I will admit,

a bit trepidatious.

No, I...

have been asked
to speak at today's

resource committee meeting,

on behalf of the
planets I represent.

The position I will advocate
is a controversial one.

I have no doubt you will
perform your duties commendably.

Shall we?

There is something
else I wish to discuss,

o-of a personal nature.

Our engagement
announcement. [stammers]

I reviewed the draft, and

there is one phrase
which I believe

may warrant reconsideration.

"The handsome and
erudite Captain Saru."

If it embarrasses
you, we will remove it,

but it is accurate to
say that you are both.

If there is nothing
else you would change,

I will have it sent
out within the day.

Please. It is all very exciting.

DUVIN: Madam President.

I am ready with your
briefing for today's session.

Thank you, Mr. Duvin.

This is, of course,
Captain Saru.

I don't believe
you two have met.

It is a pleasure.

Our announcement is prepared,

with one small edit.

Once I have made that,

you may transmit to
the appropriate outlets.

Today, Madam President?

- Yes.
- Of course.

[sighs]

Ambassador.

When you are ready,
I shall see you inside.

Yes.

[doors whoosh open]

Excuse me, sir?

Lieutenant Tilly.

Captain Burnham asked me
to show you around the ship

to facilitate introductions.

Ah, she gave me a chaperone.

Uh, not sure I would agree
with that choice of words, but...

Introductions can wait.

I'm combing through sensor data

for any signs of
Moll and L'ak's ship.

That is the top priority from
an operational perspective.

If I could have permission
to speak freely, sir.

Zora's already monitoring
scanners in-in real time.

Crew cohesion is a top priority

as well, and, uh,

so... Plus, it's...
Captain's orders.

I didn't, Lieutenant.

Sorry, didn't what?

Give you permission
to speak freely.

But I can walk and chew gum.

- That is an Earth expression.
- Uh...

Yeah, no, it is. I
just, I don't know...

I'm not running
all over the ship.

They can report to me
here in the science lab.

Active duty roster
introductions, 1100 hours.

Schedule five minutes
with each of them.

- Hi.
- Hi.

Uh, do you have a
little time now, or...?

- Yeah, just finished.
- Uh...

Am I allowed to hug you

while you're on duty?

Quick, no one's looking.

[both chuckle]

I haven't actually
touched you in months.

Um...

Uh, the...

The captain said that we might
have some time off after this,

and I was wondering if maybe
I could see your quarters,

- or meet some of the other trainees?
- Sure.

And, well, maybe...

there's some things we
should talk about, too.

Yeah.

GUARDIAN XI: We
are ready to begin.

[Guardian XI inhales sharply]

[Guardian XI speaking Trill]

GUARDIAN XI: The
transference is complete.

Jinaal's consciousness
is within him.

What year is it?

BURNHAM: 3191.

It's good to meet you, Jinaal.

I'm Captain Burnham
of the USS Discovery.

I love what they've
done with the uniform.

It's a little formal, though.

- Do you mind?
- Not at all.

[laughing]

What about you?

You're not Starfleet.

Unaffiliated
professional associate.

Ah. Got it.

You solved the
poem and the riddle.

Very impressive,
making it this far. [laughs]

And now you're
here for the clue.

- Yes. You have it?
- No.

But I can take you to it,

if you don't mind me getting
this uniform a little dirty.

I hid it in the canyons,
not too far from here.

800 years ago?

Oh, don't worry,
Professional Associate.

It'll still be there.

I hide things very well.

BURNHAM: Well,
we can beam there.

We have personal
transporters now.

Oh, I don't remember
the coordinates.

I just remember the path.

Besides, I can't tell you
how much I miss the feeling

of a nice, long walk.

- BURNHAM: We don't have time.
- JINAAL: It'll be fine.

Ensign, uh, stay here with
Kalzara and keep comms open.

- Aye, Captain.
- Come on, keep up.

You have a lifetime.

I only have a few hours.

Wow. This guy really works out.

[loud, overlapping chatter]

My world needs a new starbase.

We have all heard what's
happening with the Breen.

They're growing
increasingly dangerous

as the warring
factions vie for control.

Which is why it is vital

that all member worlds
receive fair attention,

including yours.

While adopting this change
would delay your starbase,

I would also suggest and support

an immediate increase
in patrols in your sector,

subject to President
Rillak's approval, of course.

In such a scenario, would you
consider your security needs

to be appropriately addressed?

Yes. That would be satisfactory.

In that case... All in favor?

All opposed?

The revision has been adopted.

Thank you. Let's
take a short recess.

May I have a word?

- Of course.
- Ah.

Ah.

How may I help you, Mr. Duvin?

I am curious what, if anything,
President T'Rina has told you

of the conflicts her coalition
has had with the Vulcan Purists.

Oh, I know there
has been conflict.

Indeed.

And as you were speaking,
I found myself wondering

how they might make political
fodder out of your remarks.

What you said could
be seen as a criticism

of Ni'Var, itself
a larger world.

And the fact that President
T'Rina voted with you

- makes it...
- She did not vote with me.

She voted according
to her own values

and the needs of the Federation.

While that may be true,

appearances matter.

In politics, they are
often all that matters.

Typically, I would
speak with her directly,

but I fear her logic is clouded
by both her love for you

and her strong disapproval
of the Vulcan Purists.

Therefore, logic and reason
dictates that I approach you.

As you live in a near-constant
state of emotional compromise,

you are therefore better
equipped to behave logically.

With respect,

your argument is
a touch circuitous.

I am not sure I am
clear on your point.

My point is that President
T'Rina's betrothal

to someone from another world

brings with it many
complications.

Its announcement at this time

would be like adding a
spark to a keg of cabrodine.

And in case I'm once
again being unclear,

the president's political
future would be the keg.

♪

BURNHAM: For starters,
how did you get the clue?

Did you... did you
know Dr. Vellek?

Were you with him when he
found the Progenitors' technology?

You ask a lot of questions.

How about we just enjoy
the walk, smell the air?

We don't have time
to smell the air, okay?

Others are coming, and
they're way less friendly.

If they got their hands
on what you're hiding,

it would be a disaster.

[distant screeching]

What was that?

An itronok, a
carnivorous quadruped

about three times your
height, extremely vicious.

I studied them
while I was still alive.

- These canyons are their hunting grounds.
- BOOK: Yeah.

That seems like something
you could've mentioned before.

JINAAL: Would that've
changed your mind?

Anyone sane knows
to stay away this place,

which made it perfect
for hiding the clue.

These answers you want...

if I give them to you, they
might cost you your life.

You sure it's worth it?

We've already risked
our lives to come this far.

We're sure.

All right.

800 years ago,

the Federation
president brought together

six scientists in secret:

me, Dr. Vellek and four others,
Federation and non-Federation.

Don't ask me their
names. I won't tell you.

I will tell you that
our mission was

to research the Progenitors
and their message.

The one Captain Picard found.

Yes.

It took years,

but eventually led us to
a sector of deep space

where we found a technology...

beyond anything we'd ever seen.

One of our group
tried to activate it,

and he was killed.

It was horrible.

After that, the rest
of us made a pact.

Told the president
that we'd hit a dead end,

destroyed all of our research,

removed our names from
every database we could access.

And we hid the location
of what we'd found.

Why didn't you give it to the
Federation for safekeeping?

The Dominion War was raging.

Everyone saw an
enemy in everyone else.

And we knew that
technology could be used

for great destruction.

Protecting it became
the focus of our lives.

Nothing was more important.

[screeching]

That was way closer.

We'd better pick up the pace.

TILLY: Sir?

Moll and L'ak are at Lyrek.

Uh, I know, sir. Zora told me.

Uh, Commander Rhys
is here for his meeting,

so I'll give you
two some privacy.

No need for that. Stay.

In 20 words or less, tell
me something about yourself

I couldn't read in your file.

[Rhys clears throat]

I'm a real ship-head.

Love the Crossfield, but
something about the curves

of a 23rd century
Constitution class just gets me.

That was 22 words.

Thank you.

Dismissed.

The worst thing I've ever
seen in the sickbay was a Bynar

with a Dakalan boreworm
eating its synaptic processor.

Growing up on Bajor, my
nicknames were "Full Monopoly"

and "Bluff Master," so, yeah,

I'm pretty much
unbeatable at tongo.

Saurians reproduce asexually,
but we do not meet our progeny.

They're instead raised
by the community.

I've laid three clutches.

Okay. [clears throat]

When Nilsson left for
her new post on Voyager,

- she gave me her pet tribble, and...
- [Tilly clears throat]

Oh, don't worry.
It's been neutered.

[sighs softly]

Last time I did this,
they gave me chips.

Okay, I'll save my drag racing
story for next time. [chuckles]

It was nice meeting you.

Uh, they were in the
middle of a sentence, sir.

- I got the gist.
- Sir, if you only spend

30 seconds with each crew
member, how can you...?

The meetings are exactly as
long as they need to be, Lieutenant.

I'll send Commander Owosekun in.

Mm-hmm.

Understood. Uh, keep me posted.

What's going on?

Our sensors on Lyrek.

Might be some trouble coming.

But it's-it's nowhere
near hear yet, so...

So that's good news, right?

Well, I hope so. [laughs]

You said there was
something that you wanted

- to talk to me about?
- Yeah, I just...

I just...

It seems like you've
been doing really well.

- [laughs softly]
- And I've been good, too.

Great, actually.

But I think we both feel

like things seem
different between us.

Holo's just not the same.

No, you're right.

You're right. Um, things
have felt very different.

I think that's why I was
so nervous to see you.

Because I knew we'd
have to talk about it,

and I don't know how
to start that conversation.

But, I mean, it
makes sense, right?

We literally used
to be connected.

And now, I'm
following my path here,

and you're following
yours on Discovery.

Mm.

It's a big change.

Maybe we just need to
see each other more often.

So, I can... I can
put in for more leave,

and I can... I can even
ask about transferring.

I wouldn't want you
to do that for me.

Just like you wouldn't want
me to give this up for you.

Yeah.

No, you're right.

I'm not sure what else to do.

Well, I mean, if
things aren't working

the way they are right now,

maybe we could try
something different.

Like, there are so many
kinds of relationships.

I don't know if I can
do this any other way.

So does that mean...?

Are we saying we're breaking up?

I, uh... Yeah, I guess.

I guess so.

I think you're right.

I think this is the right thing.

- This is the right thing.
- Ooh. [chuckles]

But I'll always be here for you.

No matter what.

Well, me, too.

Always.

You know where
the technology is.

Why not just tell us
so we can secure it?

We can actually skip
this whole clue trail.

No.

We created the clues so that
no one could reach the end

unless they
follow the full path.

We wanted the power to be found,

but only by a worthy seeker,

and only when
the time was right.

A time of peace when
species have evolved enough

to use it only for good.

So tell me, in 3191,

has that time come?

This isa time of peace, yeah.

[sighs]

- You don't look so sure.
- Oh, I am.

But I can't promise
you it'll last.

Advancement isn't linear.

I do know that the
Federation is driven

by a will to do good.

Most sentient beings are.

There are plenty who
would disagree with that.

Good outweighs the bad.

Truly believe that.

I think you and
your fellow scientists

must have believed it, too.

Otherwise, you wouldn't
have left these clues.

You would've destroyed
all evidence it ever existed.

That, Captain, is
a very fair point.

Book, what is it?

Oh.

JINAAL: An ina
raptor, itronok prey.

Fresh kill. They're
closer than I thought.

Have your phasers ready.

[screeching]

BURNHAM: We might have
company soon. How close are we?

JINAAL: Right
around this corner.

Okay. There.

That's where the clue is hidden.

There's a carving.

Just below it is a crack that
opens into a compartment

I built into the rock.

That's it.

- Yeah.
- Wait!

[screeching]

[phasers whirring]

[quietly]: They can cloak?

Their scales control
the way light refracts.

That's another thing you
could've mentioned, Jinaal.

- Ooh!
- Take cover!

Whoa, the hits just
keep on coming.

Once agitated, they don't
back down. We have to go. Now!

No, we can't. We need the clue.

- You're not getting it tonight.
- What? There has to be a way.

There's no way. We stay, we die.

This body, your friend, dies.

I'm not gonna let that happen.

Jinaal.

BOOK: Damn it.

[quietly]: We have
to find a way past it.

See if you can
communicate with it.

[roaring]

I can't. Connection's a two-way
process. It's blocking me.

- Could you pick up on anything?
- Yeah. It's really pissed off.

Hmm. We didn't need
empathy powers to tell us that.

Time for plan B, then?

- On the count of three.
- Hey, hey.

Is it on three or after three?

Like, is it "One, two, three,"

or "One, two, three, go"?

Second option.
One, two, three, go.

- [bellowing] - Hey!
- Go then.

[screeching]

[grunts]

BOOK: Hurry up!

I can't see it anymore!

Keep looking.

[itronok screeching]

- [screeching]
- BOOK: There you are.

BOOK: Michael,
there's another one!

BURNHAM: I need more time!

Michael!

- [Book groaning loudly]
- [gasping]

[screeching]

Over there.

- [screeching]
- [grunting] Go!

- [groans]
- Oh.

[both panting]

BURNHAM: Go in there.

They must have found
that poem on Lyrek, right?

Sir, is that a
question for me, sir?

No.

- Didn't think so.
- Sorry I'm late.

I was working on the data
from the Romulan tricorder,

and I think I've
finally figured it out.

As long as it's
mission-critical,

use as many words as you'd like.

Uh, well, um, the thing is,

I hadn't accounted
for half-life.

The Progenitors' technology
is several billion years old,

so, of course that would
result in significant decay

of numerous isotopes.

I don't fully understand it
yet, but the technology is...

It could have
incredible applications.

One could use it to
design new life-forms,

accelerate evolution,
modify ecosystems.

And if it can create life,

then, in theory, it
might even be possible

to reanimate dead organisms.

That sounds like it'd be very
dangerous in the wrong hands.

Well, yes, but
think of all the good

[laughing]: it could
do in the right ones!

It could make even the
spore-drive discovery

inconsequential by comparison.

Commander, you have
any more data to share?

Um... no, I guess not.

Then your 20 words
are up. You're dismissed.

Nice to meet you,
too, Commander.

Okay. What?!

What?

I haven't seen him
that excited in so long.

Why-why did you have
to shut him down like that?

I got the information I
needed. Now I'm moving on.

- Oh.
- Who's next?

Ey. Uh, since you won't give
me permission to speak freely,

I'm just gonna take it.

Captain Burnham... she
sees something in you,

but for the life of me, I
have no idea what it is.

So, how about this? How about
I'm next? Here are my 20 words.

Uh, you're on a new
ship, fresh off a demotion,

trying to hide how hard that is

by being a giant...

Oh, that's 20 words, so...

Excuse me, sir. I
have work to do.

[sighs]

Uh, T'Rina,

I have been considering our
engagement announcement.

I-I believe the...

It has not yet gone out?

No, but within a few hours.

Ah. Uh, I wonder if perhaps

we should consider postponing.

Well, it-it is a very
busy time for you.

And of course, there
is my new position.

A public declaration
may bring undue pressure.

And as I recall, a
wise Vulcan once said,

"To rush a sehlat
is to risk a goring."

Duvin spoke with
you, did he not?

I...

He did.

He advised me not to announce.

I took that into account
and decided otherwise.

So now he turns to you.

He seemed quite clear that
it would not be in the interest

of your political career.

I employ Duvin because he
is a shrewd political operator,

but that does not mean that
he or anyone else, including you,

understands my own
interests better than I.

But if you would
experience a challenge

from the Vulcan Purists,
we must consider that.

Uh, I simply wish to protect
you in all ways that I can.

It is unclear to me what would
have given you the impression

that I'm in need of caretaker.

MALE [over comm]:
Excuse me, President T'Rina.

President Rillak
is ready for you.

There is work to attend to.

Excuse me. I must go.

Uh... [sighs]

[door whooshes open]

[door whooshes closed]

[screeching,
growling in distance]

Okay. We have
to get the barb out.

All right?

Then I'm gonna hit it with
the dermal regenerator.

It's gonna stop the bleeding.

- On the count of three.
- Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.

- Three.
- [yells]

[panting]

What happened to
"after three," Michael?

Doesn't hurt as much
when you're not expecting it.

[laughing]: I'm sorry.

- [screeching]
- BOOK: Hey, over there.

[Burnham panting]

BOOK: Those aren't rocks.

- Those are eggs.
- Right.

They're protecting their young
just like any parent would.

Then there's no justification
for antagonizing them,

no matter what's hidden here.

Jinaal was right.

We're gonna have to
come back for the clue.

[Burnham panting]

All right. Let's beam out.

We can catch up to
him on the canyon.

- That's not good.
- We're too close to the rock.

The mineral
composition is interfering

- with the transporter signal.
- Okay.

- What do you want to do?
- Okay.

BURNHAM: Um...

I got an idea.

Basic xenoanthropology...

show respect to the
one you're studying.

Michael, don't.

- Trust me.
- Don't do it.

- [rattling]
- [sighs]

[exhales deeply]

[whirring]

[screeching]

Have you lost your mind?

Our phasers made
us seem like a threat.

Try to communicate
with them again. Now.

Tell them we're sorry
and-and that we are leaving.

[loud bellowing]

[screeching]

They're letting us go.

BURNHAM: We'll find
another way to get that clue.

♪

[chuckles] Jinaal!

I've missed this...

the simple pleasure
of gazing at the stars.

I see you survived.

Skin of our teeth.

You knew that was their
nesting ground, didn't you?

And you had us draw
our phasers to incite them.

Why?

[chuckling]

I had to know what you'd do

when you encountered a life-form
vastly different than your own.

Would you just see an enemy,

or would you try to connect?

That's vital for whoever gets
the Progenitors' technology.

As is the belief

in the potential for
goodness in all beings.

Proceed wisely, Captain.

Associate.

And the carving
on the rock face?

I believe you'd call
that a red herring.

- Hmm.
- Never understood that.

- Herrings aren't even red.
- [Burnham chuckles]

- I think that's the point.
- Ah.

- I still don't get it.
- BOOK: Out of curiosity,

if we hadn't proven worthy,

would you have let
the itronoks kill us?

To protect the
Progenitors' power?

BOOK: Uh-huh.

Yes.

These are the coordinates
for the next clue?

JINAAL: They are.
Good luck, Captain.

[indistinct crowd chatter]

T'Rina, um,

might you have a moment?

[Saru sighs]

I have been terribly
uneasy since our tea.

I have given it much thought,

and have come to realize

that what I was trying to do
was not what you asked for,

nor what you needed.

I apologize.

I accept.

The matter is
already in the past.

Does that response trouble you?

No. Uh, quite the opposite.

I... I feared a far worse
outcome. [chuckles]

You see,

I have never
experienced conflict

with someone I love in this way.

Conflict is a natural
part of any relationship,

- and not to be feared.
- Hmm.

It is a natural part of
political life, as well.

Duvin is correct.

The announcement will
enflame the Vulcan Purists.

But if it were to come out

that we were engaged
and had not announced,

that would erode
my citizens' trust.

That would make it seem as
though I was hiding something,

and we have nothing to hide.

In that case,

I would like to announce
as soon as possible.

And if difficulties arise,

it will be my honor to stand
beside you to face them.

[gasps]

GUARDIAN XI:
Zhian'tara has ended.

Jinaal has left you.

Jinaal feels deep gratitude

for the extra moments
of life you have given him.

The experience was, um...

Well, I-I... I don't
have the words.

I am glad you found
what you needed, Captain.

BURNHAM: So am I.

There are some very
dangerous people that won't be.

I'm sorry. We think that
they're on their way here.

I can assist with a
team for protection.

No need. Trill security is more
than capable of handling them.

Okay. Dr. Culber,
you should beam

to sickbay for a checkup.

You should beam back, too.

Have Dr. Pollard
take a look at your leg.

Adira.

I'll see you back on board.

Kalzara, thank
you for everything.

Thank you, for now I can rest.

[indistinct chatter]

[laughter]

BARTENDER: Welcome to
Red's. I'll be right back for your order.

That looks radioactive.

I realize we did not get off on
the best foot today, Lieutenant,

but leadership and friendship
are two different beasts.

Professional distance
keeps the distinction clear.

My crew understood that.

We had a shorthand,
a mutual trust.

Well, in my
experience, sir, it helps

if the crew believes you
actually care about them.

Hmm.

Hmm.

Commander Rhys has an extensive

and comprehensive
interest in starships

that goes far
beyond the tactical.

If he wanted, he could
have a bright future

in the Command division.

Pollard has stared into
the void and made it blink.

Nothing frightens that woman.

Linus cares deeply for
tradition and stability,

evident in his dedication to
his people's child-rearing ways.

And Reno, well...

Shall I go on?

Analyzing them is not the
same as connecting with them,

or showing them respect.

- Respect has to be earned.
- I agree, sir.

And that goes both ways.

[indistinct chatter, laughter]

Hmm.

We are making preparations

to jump to the
coordinates from the clue.

But they're in Tzenkethi space

so we can't go until the
diplomats clear the way.

Ah, red tape, your favorite.

Today must have been something.

Yeah. Having another
consciousness inside of me?

I mean, I was
there, but I wasn't.

How is that even possible?

How does that work?

How do I begin to
explain any of that?

I suppose you can't.

At least not with the
science we have now.

Doesn't mean it's unknowable.

Right?

Maybe.

Makes me think of my abuela.

She was a doctor, too.

She filled her home
with religious icons...

Catholic Church,
Buddhism, Santeria,

all sorts of faiths.

She used to tell me
that it was a reminder

that not everything
has to have an answer.

But I'm not sure
I'm okay with that.

Yeah, I get that.

What do you mean?

Jinaal said something
as we were walking back,

and he was right.

I amsearching.

This technology,

it's the closest
that we'll ever get

to the beings who
designed life as we know it.

Maybe by the end of the journey,

we willfind the answers we need.

Both of us.

♪

GRAY: The life of a symbiont
is a journey that spans centuries.

Each host it passes
through changes it,

and it changes each in return.

The lesson this teaches us is

that every life is a journey.

A series of changes.

We must work to understand
thoe we encounter on our journey.

We must choose to connect.

Not just with others...

but also, with ourselves.

Sometimes we fail.

Sometimes we succeed.

Either way, we must keep tryin.

Because we have to.

Because we're all looking
for meaning in our lives.

And in the end,

the connections we make

will lead us there.

GUARDIAN XI: Thank you, Gray.

[Guardian XI speaking Trill]

♪

[indistinct chatter]

[chatter continues]

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